One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Posted on: August 26, 2011 2:55 pm

Edited on: August 26, 2011 3:16 pm

An assistant coach I trust says that Carolina has it all wrong with quarterback Cam Newton and that the Panthers should let him do more with the football -- like run it. Basically, he said, they should try to make him as comfortable as possible by letting him run more of the plays that he did at Auburn to take advantage of his vast physical talents.

At Auburn, Newton ran nearly as much as he threw, and the results were impressive. He won the Heisman Trophy, he won a national championship and he gained the attenton of the Panthers, who made him the top pick in the April draft.

But Newton looks far from ready for the NFL and was positively underwhelming vs. Cincinnati Thursday. When he did look decent he was scrambling out of the pocket, but when he threw he stunk -- hitting 6 of 19 passes and looking like anything but a quarterback. In three preseason games he has four completions to wide receivers, and while he aimed eight passes at WR Steve Smith on Thursday, he connected on only one.

"If this weren't Cam Newton," a scout said during the game, "you'd say this guy has no business being on the field."

Newton not only is on the field; he's the likely starter for Carolina in two weeks at Arizona. Based on what I saw Thursday, that's a scary thought -- both for Newton and his teammates. Newton labled his play "unacceptable," but it's hard to imagine him improving in the next few weeks ... especially if the offense doesn't look more like Auburn and less like Carolina.

"He's a strong and determined kid," said an AFC assistant, "but he doesn't like criticism. There's a little bit of an entitlement thing going on with him. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out if the season goes as last night's game did. The proof will be in the pudding."

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

This story is all wrong. It said Newton struggled against Cincinnati. I know that can't be true because last week Prisco said he had a nice smile and great things would come because of it.

Since: Feb 25, 2009

Posted on: August 26, 2011 7:04 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Do you say the same thing for Tebow? Tebow is in a similar situation, he came out as a work in progress the same with Newton, theyre both on crappy teams and expected to be the saviors, neither had time to adjust to new environments this off season. Id just like to see this double stnadard reversed. All the pundents live to bash Tebow who asctually performed well in last 3 games but now he is 4th string. Maybe its a white thing? Or because he mentions god?

Sigh. Or maybe the situations are totally different: 1. Denver already has a top-10 quarterback; Carolina does not2. Tebow was picked in the late first round; Newton was picked first overall3. The coach who picked Tebow is gone; the one who picked Newton is not4. Tebow was almost universally considered a project by scouts, coaches, and analysts; Newton was not5. Tebow has had a year to show what little or no improvement he has shown; Newton has not6. Oh, you get the point

You want to know why Tebow takes so much heat? People like you. For all the shut-up-and-let-him-play that his "fans" screech to the heavens, they certainly can't do the same for their favorite player. No, it has to be that everything in the universe is aligning against Tebow. His position on his team can't in any way be due to his shortcomings...

Since: Aug 4, 2008

Posted on: August 26, 2011 6:38 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Most smart coaches tweak their offense to fit the personal they have n the team.

If you have a running quarterback then you put in a few designed quarterback running plays. If you have a throwing quarterback then the plays you would put in would be those of a throwing quarterback and would not expect this quarterback to run except when the line break down.

I don’t thing a NFL quarterback should run 15-20 times per game, but 5-15 designed running plays would go along way toward installing confidence in this type quarterback, while teaching him the passing game of teams in the NFL.

The coaches would have to prevent him from becoming a Michael Vick, taking off each time he made his first check down. This would not work in the NFL.

“ONE MAN’S OPINION”

Since: Sep 4, 2006

Posted on: August 26, 2011 6:10 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Damn,give the dude a chance.He cant be worse than what weve had the past couple of years.I think the coaches will turn him loose as time moves on,but he needs to work on his passing plays,which is what hes being required to do at this time.This is still preseason,and missing the offseason drills and camp certainly didnt help his progression...GIVE HIM TIME.

Since: Feb 22, 2008

Posted on: August 26, 2011 6:03 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

No way Carolina can do that. Even with the ideal personnal for it, that won't work in the NFL. The defense and their rush packages are too good. Newton will get creamed if he runs that much. He has to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver accurate passes to his wideouts. No scheming or strategic change will cover up the inability to do that. While Newton has time, I see lots of rookies who at least show suggestions of that capability. Without major progression in the ability to anticipate tight throwing windows and deliver the ball into them, Newton is a guaranteed bust. More to the point, while teams do need to take advantage of their player's talents, good QBs will be able to play good football in most systems. Newton is weak in timing, anticipation, and accuracy. Those are fundamental skills to all NFL QBs regradless of system and Newton needs to acquire those to have any chance.

Since: Apr 9, 2010

Posted on: August 26, 2011 6:02 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Do you say the same thing for Tebow? Tebow is in a similar situation, he came out as a work in progress the same with Newton, theyre both on crappy teams and expected to be the saviors, neither had time to adjust to new environments this off season. Id just like to see this double stnadard reversed. All the pundents live to bash Tebow who asctually performed well in last 3 games but now he is 4th string. Maybe its a white thing? Or because he mentions god?

Since: Feb 25, 2009

Posted on: August 26, 2011 5:41 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

When you make a guy the #1 overall pick, you're making a commitment. You don't draft a guy that high and then demand he fit your system, you mold your system to fit him. Cam Newton might not ever be a decent NFL QB, but Carolina has to commit to their decision.

Since: Mar 14, 2008

Posted on: August 26, 2011 5:24 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Two words: Total bust! He was not an NFL style QB in college. You won't mold him in to one in the NFL. If I were a Carolina fan I would be calling for the GM's head!

Since: Aug 10, 2011

Posted on: August 26, 2011 5:04 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

Cannot turn Carolina into Auburn, can't do it. If Cam Newton can't make the transition into being an NFL quarterback then he will not be in the NFL very long. I do think they need to give him a chance though. He's got the right idea in targeting Steve Smith, his most explosive weapon 8 times. When he develops a relationship with Smith and they start getting their timing down he will be fine. Don't expect Michael Vick, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in his first season. Expect mistakes, expect poor choices, but also expect him to get better and more comfortable as the year goes on. I personally don't think Cam Newton is going to make it as an NFL quarterback, but I didn't draft him #1 overall, Carolina did. So, now they have to see what they drafted and give him a chance. Not pull him if he struggles early on, because he will, but give him a chance. Watch him get sacked, watch him throw interceptions, watch him take big hits when he's scrambling instead of staying in the pocket, and see how he reacts to all those negatives. Only then will they find out what they got with the #1 overall pick. Good luck, I think you'll need it Cam.

Since: Jan 6, 2011

Posted on: August 26, 2011 3:56 pm

One suggestion: Change offense for Cam

cut the kid some slack. Go check out Manning and Brees their first season, let alone pre-season.

I agree with this statement.

Newton not only is on the field; he's the likely starter for Carolina in two weeks at Arizona. Based on what I saw Thursday, that's a scary thought -- both for Newton and his teammates. Newton labled his play "unacceptable," but it's hard to imagine him improving in the next few weeks ... especially if the offense doesn't look more like Auburn and less like Carolina.

I agree with Newtons assessment of himself.

"He's a strong and determined kid," said an AFC assistant, "but he doesn't like criticism. There's a little bit of an entitlement thing going on with him. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out if the season goes as last night's game did. The proof will be in the pudding."

He had better be a durable and determined kid. He is entitled, entitled to run when he thinks he needs to. This will get him hurt. At that point his determintation better turn to learning how to provide an NFL style passing attack. Given time, I think he can do it.